Peter Harvey
Peter Harvey, who gained his doctorate in Buddhist Studies at Lancaster University, under Ninian Smart, is Emeritus Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Sunderland, UK. His research focuses on early Buddhist thought and practices, and Buddhist ethics. He edits Buddhist Studies Review, journal of the UK Association for Buddhist Studies, having founded the Association in 1995 with Ian Harris, and from 2002 to 2011 ran an online MA Buddhist Studies program. He is author of An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices (University of Cambridge Press, 1990, 2nd edn. 2013), The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism (Curzon Press, 1995), and An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Practices (University of Cambridge Press, 2000). He has edited an anthology of Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna texts, Common Buddhist Text: Guidance and Insight from the Buddha, to be published for free distribution by Mahachulalongkorn-rajavidyalaya University in Thailand. He is a member of the Samatha Trust and teaches a free online course on Samatha meditation. Retired, he now lives near York. (Source Accessed Dec 5, 2019)
Library Items
The Selfless Mind
This careful analysis of early Buddhist thought opens out a perspective in which no permanent Self is accepted, but a rich analysis of changing and potent mental processes is developed. It explores issues relating to the not-Self teaching: self-development, moral responsibility, the between-lives period, and the 'undetermined questions' on the world, on the 'life principle' and on the liberated one after death. It examines the 'person' as a flowing continuity centered on consciousness or discernment (vinnana) configured in changing minds-sets (cittas). The resting state of this is seen as 'brightly shining' - like the 'Buddha nature' of Mahayana thought - so as to represent the potential for Nirvana. Nirvana is then shown to be a state in which consciousness transcends all objects, and thus participates in a timeless, unconditioned realm. (Source: Routledge)
See especially chapter 10, Bhavaṅga and the Brightly Shining Mind.
See especially chapter 10, Bhavaṅga and the Brightly Shining Mind.
Harvey, Peter. The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvāṇa in Early Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004. First published 1995 by Curzon Press. http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/The%20Selfless%20Mind_Personality_Consciousness%20and%20Nirvana%20in%20Early%20Buddhism_Harvey_1995-2004r.pdf.
Harvey, Peter. The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvāṇa in Early Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004. First published 1995 by Curzon Press. http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/The%20Selfless%20Mind_Personality_Consciousness%20and%20Nirvana%20in%20Early%20Buddhism_Harvey_1995-2004r.pdf.;The Selfless Mind;Buddha-nature as Luminosity;The doctrine of buddha-nature in Early Buddhism;anātman;Peter Harvey;The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvāṇa in Early Buddhism
Affiliations & relations
- University of Sunderland, UK · workplace affiliation
- Buddhist Studies Review · secondary affiliation
